CaliforniaCompanies making or supplying certain gene synthesis products would follow screening rules
Companies making certain gene synthesis machines or covered synthetic genetic material in California, or supplying them to customers there, would have to follow screening rules and post statements online saying they comply.
What it does
Makers of tabletop gene synthesis machines would have to follow screening rules and post an online statement that they comply to make them in California or supply customers there. Some rules would not apply before October 13, 2027.
Suppliers of covered synthetic genetic material would have to follow screening rules and post an online statement that they comply to make it in California or supply customers there. Some rules would not apply before October 13, 2027.
California’s Attorney General could sue covered machine makers or genetic material suppliers for breaking these rules. Fines could reach $5,000 for each day a violation continues, based on its severity.
Argument forScreening could keep dangerous synthetic genetic material or the machines that make it from reaching California customers who might misuse them.
Argument againstDaily fines of up to $5,000 could add up for covered makers or suppliers who cannot correct a violation quickly.
More detail
Makers would have to follow the screening framework and post a compliance statement on a public website. This covers tabletop gene synthesis machines made in California or sold or delivered to customers there. The September 2024 framework applies. Its steps labeled “should” are required; steps labeled “encouraged” are optional. Framework steps set to start on or after October 13, 2026, would not apply under this law before October 13, 2027.
Suppliers would have to follow the screening framework and post a compliance statement on a public website. This covers synthetic genetic material subject to screening that is made in California or sold or delivered to customers there. The September 2024 framework applies. Its steps labeled “should” are required; steps labeled “encouraged” are optional. Framework steps set to start on or after October 13, 2026, would not apply under this law before October 13, 2027.
Only California’s Attorney General could sue a covered maker or supplier to collect a civil fine. This covers makers and suppliers under these rules; people acting only as customers are not covered. The fine depends on how serious the violation is and cannot exceed $5,000 a day. The daily limit applies for each day the violation continues.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 30Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 852, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 30Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Aug 27Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 20Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 6321.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 1864 Berman Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 19In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB1864 Berman By McNerney. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 19Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 5560.).Passed Senate
- Aug 17Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 13Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 13From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).Major
- Aug 3In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 24From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jun 23
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 11From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (June 10). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- Jun 10
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 3Referred to Coms. on HEALTH and JUD.Minor
- May 27In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Vote recorded AB 1864 Berman Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 5365.)Passed Assembly
- May 19Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 18Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- May 14From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (May 14).Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Lower
- May 14Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 5030.)
- May 13In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Apr 22From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 21
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 25From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (March 24). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- Mar 24
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 23Referred to Coms. on HEALTH and JUD.Minor
- Feb 12From printer. May be heard in committee March 14.
- Feb 11Read first time. To print.Introduced
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